Crank arm and driving block means



Oct. 12, 1948. D. s. WILLSON 2,451,455

CRANK ARM AND DRIVING BLOCK MEANS Filed June 25, 1945 2 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Oct. 12, 1948. I D. s. WILLS ON CRANK ARM AND DRIVING BLOCK MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Filed June 23, 1945 iNVENTOR! p 6331 on, B 6

ATTORNEY. b

Patented Get. 12, 1948 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,451,455 I CRANK ARM AND DRIVING BLOCK MEANS David S. Willson, Muskegon Heights, Mich, as-

signor to John Wood Manufacturing Company, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Delaware 13 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in crank arm and driving block means for positive displacement meters of the nutating type. My improved crank arm and driving block means are also adaptable for other uses, such as for installation in other types of structures which include a nutating disc or plate, etc.

One feature of my invention is that my improved crank arm and driving block construction facilitates the assembling of meters.

Another feature of my invention is that the spring loading which holds the wabble plate down on its spherical seat is separated from the spring loading exerted sidewise on the wabble plate spindle. Accordingly, the wabble plate is held efiectively on its track during normal operation. In my improved construction, each force is in a direct and controllable relationship and, hence, adjustment for calibration is facilitated.

, Another feature of my invention: is that my improved arm driving block assembly will permit the wabble plate to rise from its track in the event some hard foreign object of comparativeiy small size be present on the track. Although my improved construction permits the wabble plate to leave the track under such a condition, the movement of the wabble plate from the track is limited to predetermined value to insure proper performance. 7

Another feature of my invention is that its use permits the free operation of a meter when the crankshaft and the spherical bearing for the wabble plate are slightly out of axial alignment. Such condition is bound to occur occasionally in the making of production runs of the com-:- ponent parts of meters.

Conveniently, I have shown my improved crank 'arm and driving block assembly embodied in a fluid meter of the general type which is described and claimed in my co-pending applications Serial No. 569,477, filed December 23, 1944, now Patent No. 2,413,670, dated December 31, 1946, and Serial No. 569,478, filed December 23, 1944.

In said drawings; Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of a fluid meter embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the crank arm and driving block assembly means shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the structure shown in Fig. 2, taken on the lines 33 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the crank arm and driving block assembly attached to the crankshaft, as indicated in Fig. 1.

Referring to said drawings; I have shown my invention embodied in a meter which conveniently is formed in three parts comprising the top cover Lniain body casing 2, and base portion, or bottom closure, 3. Said top cover I is rigidly connected to the body casing 2 by means of a circumferential series of bolts which extend through openings in the top cover l into matching screw threaded holes in the top of the body casing 2. I find it convenient to interpose a gasket 5 between the top cover I and the body casing 2 in order to maintain said top cover I and body casing 2 in fluid tight relationship. Said bottom closure 3 is rigidly connected to the body casing 2 by a circumferential series of bolts 6, one of which is indicated in Fig. '1, which extend through openings in the flange of the bottom closure 3 into matching screw threaded holes formed in the bottom of the body casing 2. I find it convenient to interpose the gasket 1 between the bottom closure 3 and the body casing 2 to maintain said bottom closure 3 and body casing 2 in fluid tight relationship.

Said bottom closure 3 is provided with the inlet opening 9 which is in registry with the inlet passageway l!) formed in the body casing 2. Said inlet passageway ID is in open communication with the inlet chamber ll formed in the top cover I. Said meter is adapted to be mounted with the inlet opening 9 in registry with, or con-'- nected to, a source of fluid under pressure which is measured as it passes through the meter. For example, in Fig. 1 I have shown the meter mount- 'ed on the top of an air eliminator chamber, indicated in dotted lines, of a gasoline dispensing apparatus and with the inlet opening 9 in registry with the outlet opening I2 formed inthe top cover l3 of said air eliminator.

The valve seat 15 is formed convenientlyas a separate fiat plate which is rigidly connected to the top wall it of the body casing 2 by means of a series of screws extending through openings in said valve plate l5 into engagement with matching screw threaded holes in said top wall 16. Said valve plate I5 is provided with a series of port openings I! therethrough which are in registry with openings l8 formed in the top wall 16 of the body casing 2. Each port H is in open communication with its piston cylinder 20. I flnd it convenient to form said piston cylinders 20 as pressed, or stamped, inverted steel cups which are rigidly connected to the underside'of the top wall i6 by screws 21 which extend through openings in the top walls 22 of the cups 20 into screw threaded holes formed in the top wall IS. The top wall 22 of each cylinder cup 20 is provided of said worm and worm gear.

inder type, although only the piston and cylinder coming in the line of section is shown for purposes of clarity. I

Each of the cylinders 20 is provided with a piston assembly which is mounted in a cylinder 20 for reciprocation in response to fluid pressure on the top of the piston. Each piston assembly includes a cup leather 25, piston backing plate 26, intermediate plate 2?, piston spring retainer plate 28 and piston expander spring .30, all of which are assembled together by mean of a series of screws 3 i, one of which is shown in Fig. 1. The piston assembly shown and described is of the well known construction wherein the piston expander spring 35 is adapted to maintain the upturned edge of the cup leather 25 in continuous frictional engagement with the side wall of the cylinder 20.

The piston includes a telescopic connecting rod consisting of the outer tubular member 32 which is adaptable for sliding engagement on the inner member 34. The piston assemblysis mounted on the screw threaded reduced portion 35 of the outer tubular connecting rod member 32, and maintained in rigid position on the member 32 by means of a nut 36. The telescopic connecting rod shown herein is described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 584,720 filed March 24, 1945. The inner member 3A of thetelescopic connecting rod is provided at its lowermost end with a ball end 3? which is mounted and confined in the socket 38 formed in the wabble plate as. The ball end 3? is retained conveniently in its socket 38 by means 'of a washer M and snap ring 42.

The wabble plate is provided with the socket 425 and said wabble plate as. is concentrically mounted in the chamber 46 of the body casing 2 on the hemispherically shaped ball end 4! of the adjusting screw 48. Rotation of the wabble plate d0 is prevented by the pin 58, rigidly mounted in a boss formed in the, bottom closure 3, which extends through an elliptically shaped opening formed in the web of the wabble plate is. The use of an elliptically shaped opening and pin extending therethrough to permit nutation of a wabble plate, but to prevent rotation thereof, is well known in the art.

The adjusting screw 48 is in screw threaded relationship with the screw threaded opening 52 of the boss 53 formed in said bottom closure 3. Said adjusting screw 48 has a reduced stem portion 0n the lower end of which is rigidly connected to worm gear 56. The reduced stem portion 5 is provided with packing and a packing ring retained in position by the spring 57, the upper end of which engages the packing ring and the lower end of which engages the bottom of the socket 59 formed in the hub of said worm gear 56. Said worm gear 55 is in engagement with the worm 6t which is rigidly mounted on the worm shaft 6!. Said worm shaft 6| is provided at its outer end not shown, with a screw driver slot for conveniently efie'cting movement Calibrating adjustment of the meter may be effected by inserting a screw driver in the slot in the end of the worm shaft 8! to turn the worm 60 to effect clockwise or counterclockwise movement of the gagement therewith, to thus shorten or lengthen 4 the stroke of the'pistons in their respective cylinders 28.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the wabble plate at is provided with the driving stem shaft 62 which is journalled in the drilled opening 63 formed in the driving block 65. Saiddriving block 55 is slidably mounted with freedom of pivotal movement on the crank arm pin 61, which extends through the elongated opening I5 formed in the driving block 65. The outer ends of said pin 67 extend respectively through the bifurcated crankarms 68 formed on the crank 123. end with the enlarged head I2, and the opposite end of said pin 61 is provided with the cotter pin i3, extending through the drilled opening id, for retaining said pin 6? in position. The driving block 65 is provided with the spring I6 held between the inner cup washer I8, which engages the ends of the bifurcated crank arms 68, and the outer washer 89 which is mounted on the reduced portion 8! formed at the right-hand end of the driving block 65, as viewed in Fig. 3. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the inner cup washer is is maintained in sliding engagement with the outer ends of the bifurcated crank arms .68.

The outer washer 86 is maintained in position at the end of the driving block 65 by means of the screw 83 which is engaged in the screw threaded socket as formed at the right-hand end of the driving block 65.

Such driving block assembly places a loading on the wabble plate stem shaft 62 substantially at right angles to the axis of said shaft 62, with the result that all of the forces of the spring it act to hold the wabble plate 40 on the wabble plate track 85 formed on the upper side of the bottom closure 3, as shown in Fig. 1.

Said wabble plate if! is provided with the spring 36, the lower end of which encircles and engages the offset 8? formed at the top of the wabble plate Ml. The upper end of said spring 85 is in engagement with the wabble plate bearing washer 89. The thrust washer is interposed between the wabble plate bearing washer 89 and the bottom surface of the bifurcated arms 68. Said thrust Washer 99 is provided with the upturned portion 9i which is engaged with freedom of movement between the bifurcated arms 68, as best shown in Fig.3.

The crank arm It is rigidly connected tothe reduced screw threaded lower end portion of the crankshaft 93 by means of the castle nut 94. v The lower end of the crankshaft 93 is provided with the reduced flattened portion 95 which engages the slot 95 formed in the top of the crank arm Iii. Such construction efiects a keying between the crankshaft 93 and the crank arm 70.. Said crankshaft 93 is journalled in the thrust bearings 9'! and 98 which are'pressfitted in the opening I08 formed in the bearing I0! which is formed -I02 and crank pin I03 which drive the meter.

valve I05. Th crankshaftc93 rotates in a clockwisedirection, and it is to be noted that the crank arm ID, at the lower endof the crankshaft 93, is fastened to said crankshaft 93 at substantially 90 degrees clockwise from the crank arm I02 which drives the meter valve I05. The valve l05'is operatively connected to the drive shaftarm- I06.

which is rigidly fastened to the lower end ofthe drive shaft I01. Said drive shaft Iii! is adapted Said crank arm pin 6? is provided at one to be. connected at its upper end, byany convenlent means, toa recording, mechanism which registers the volume of fluid passed bythe. meter;

The valve plate is provided witha series. of outlet ports HG, one of which is: shown in Fig. 1, which are in registryw-ith. outlet openings H2 formed: in the top wall Id of the body casing 2. Said outIetopeni'ng-s lilllare in open communication the meter chamber 46 which is in. open communication with the meter outlet passageway (notshown) formed in the meter bottom. clo-- sure 3.

Assuming the meter tobe completely-filled Withl-iquidasinstall'ed ina conventional type of gasoline pump, such as is described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 2,351,331 granted June 13, 1 944:, to M. J Goldberg, the meter inlet opening a is connected to. the outlet opening 12 in the topcover I 3. of the air eliminator. With liquid being dispensed through the: meter, the liquid under pressure flows up the inlet passageway ill to the inlet chamber ll formed in the top cover 1. The liquid under pressure from the inlet chamher it enters through a port IT to the cylinder for that port, which forces the piston 2.559111 bly in that cylinder downwardly. Such downward movementmovesthe wabble plate 40, thus causing the crankshaft 93" to revolve clockwise. Clockwise movement of the crankshaft 93 moves the valve I05 clockwise which, depending on the position of the valve, opens or closes the ports l1 leading to the cylinders 28. As the meter operates, liquid is forceddownwardly through the outlet port openings N 0 to the chamber 46 and thence through the meter outlet formed in the bottom of the meter. In. liquid dispensing apparatus, the outlet from the meter is connected to the valve control dispensing nozzle of such apparatus.

Gali-brati'on of the meter is effected by turning in the socket 45 of the wabble plate 40, raising and lowering of the adjusting screw 48' causes the center portion of the wabble plate 49 to be raised or lowered to change the length of the stroke of the pistons in the cylinders 20.

As the driving block 65. is slidably mounted with freedom of pivotal movement on the crank arm pin 61 extending through the elongated opening 15 formed in the driving block 65', when the center portion of the wabble plate is raised or lowered the driving block 65 moves about the crank arm pin 61 as a pivot and also moves endwise within the limits defined by the pin 61 coming into engagement with either end of the elongated opening 15 formed in the driving block 65. Therefore, regardless of the position of the driving block 65 with respect to the bifurcated arms 68 of the crank arm 10, the forces of the spring 16 always place a loading on the wabble plate stem shaft 62 substantially at right angles to said shaft 62. Hence, all the forces of the sprin 15 act to hold the wabble plate 40 on the wabble plate track 85 formed on the upper side of the bottom closure 3. The forces of the spring 86 which holds: the wabble plate 40' down on. the spherical. seat 41 are. always. exerted in a direction substantially coinciding. with the. axis of the. wabble. plate All; and such axial spring loading, of the wabble plate is separate from the sprin loading exerted sidewise on the. wabble plate spindle.

It. is obvious that various modifications. may be made in my invention without, departing from the essential features. thereof. as defined. in the appended claims, and, therefore, I do not desire tolimit: myself to the precise. details. of construction and arrangementv herein. set forth.

l. A crank. arm and driving. block assembly comprising. a. driving block in which a drive shaft is. adapted tabejo-urnalled; acrankshaft; a crank arm operatively connected to said crankshaft; means connecting said driving block to said crank arm with freedom of sliding movement about a fixed pivot; and spring loading means for said driving block wherein the forces. of said spring loading means: are exerted onsaid drive shaft substantially at rightangles to the axis of said drive shaft.

2. In a fluid meter; the combination with a wabble plate; of a drive shaft on said wabble plate; a driving block in which said drive shaft is journalled; a crankshaft; a crank arm operatively connected to said crankshaft; means connecting said driving block to said crank arm with freedom of sliding movement about a fixed pivot; and spring loading means for said driving block wherein the forces of said spring loading means are exerted on said wabble plate drive shaft substantially at right angles to the axis, of said wabble plate drive shaft.

3'. In a fluid meter; the combination with a wabble plate; of a drive shaft on said wabble plate; a driving block in which said drive shaft is journalled; a crankshaft; a crank arm operatively connected to said crankshaft; bifurcated arms formed on said crank arm; means connecting said driving block in said bifurcated arms with freedom of sliding pivotal movement; and spring loading meansfor said driving block wherein the forces of said springloading means are exerted on said wabble plate drive shaft substantially at right angles to the axis of said wabble plate drive shaft,

4. In a fluid meter; the combination with a wabbleplate; of a drive shaft on said wabble plate; a driving block in which said drive shaft is journaljlcd; an elongated opening in said drivi'n-g block; a crankshaft; av crank arm operatively connected to said crankshaft; bifurcated arms formed on said crank arm; means extending through said elongated opening and connecting said driving block tosaid crank arm within said bifurcated arms with freedom of sliding pivotal movement; and spring loading means for said driving block wherein the forces of said spring loading means are exerted on said wabble plate drive shaft substantially at right angles to the axis of said wabble plate drive shaft.

5. In a fluid meter; the combination with a wabble plate; of a drive shaft on said wabble plate; a driving block in which said drive shaft is journalled; an elongated opening in said driving block; a crankshaft; a crank arm operatively connected to said crankshaft; bifurcated arms formed on said crank arm; a crank arm pin extending through said elongated opening and bifurcated arms and connecting said driving block within said bifurcated arms with freedom of sliding pivotal movement; and spring loading means for said driving block wherein the forces of said spring loading means are exerted on said wabble plate drive shaft substantially at right angles to the axis ofsaid wabble plate drive shaft.

6. In a fluid meter; the combination with a wabble plate; of a drive shaft on said wabble plate; a driving block in which said drive shaft is journalled; an elongated opening in said driving block; a crankshaft; a crank arm operatively connected to said crankshaft; arms formed on said crank arm; a crank arm pin extending through said elongated opening and arms and connecting said driving block within said arms with freedom of sliding pivotal movement; and a spring operatively connected to said driving block wherein the forces of said Spring are exerted on said wabble plate drive shaft substantially at right angles to the axis of said wabble plate drive shaft.

7. In a fluid meter; the combination with a wabble plate; of a drive shaft on said wabble plate; a driving block in which said drive shaft is journalled; an elongated opening in said driving block; a crankshaft; a crank arm operatively connected to said crankshaft; a pair of spaced arms formed on said crank arm; a crank arm pin extending through said elongated opening and said pair of spaced arms and connecting said driving block between said arms with freedom of sliding pivotal movement; a sprin operatively connected to said driving block; and means at the opposite ends of said spring for confinin said spring; whereby, the forces of said spring are exerted on said wabble plate drive shaft substantially at right angles to the axis of said wabble plate drive shaft.

8. In a fluid meter; the combination with a wabble plate; of a drive shaft on said wabble plate; a driving block in which said drive shaft is journalled; an elongated opening in said driving block; a crankshaft; a crank arm operatively connected.- to said crankshaft; a pair of spaced arms formed on said crank arm; a crank arm pin extending through said elongated opening and said pair of spaced arms and connecting said driving block between said arms with freedom of sliding pivotal movement; a spring operatively connected to said driving block; an inner cup washer and an outer retaining washer embracing the respective opposite ends of said spring for confining said spring under compression; and screw means extending through said cup washers and spring into said driving block; whereby, the forces of said spring are exerted on said wabble plate drive shaft substantially at right angles to the axis of said wabble plate drive shaft. 7

9. A structure as in claim 8; wherein the inner cup washer is in sliding engagement with the outer ends of said pair of arms formed on said crank arm.

10. In a fluid meter; the combination with a wabble plate; of a drive shaft on said wabble 8 plate; support means for said wabbleplate; a track for said wabble plate; a driving block in which said drive shaft is journalled; an elongated opening in said driving block; a crankshaft; a crank arm operatively connected to said crankshaft; a pair of spaced arms formed on said crank arm; a crank arm pin extendin through said elongated opening and said pair of spacedarms and connecting said driving block between. said arms with freedom of sliding pivotal movement;

a spring operatively connected to said driving I block; an outer retaining washer at the outer end of said spring; 'an inner cup washer embracing the inner end of said spring, said inner cup washer being in abutting engagement with the outer ends of said pair of arms; retaining means extending through said cup washers and spring into said driving block; and a second spring for holding said wabble plate in engagement withsaid wabble plate supportmean's; r 11. A structure as in claimlO; wherein, said second spring encircles said wabble plate ,drive shaft and wherein said second spring is positioned between the underside of said pair of spaced arms and the top of said wabble plate.

12. A crank arm and driving block assembly comprising a driving block in which a drive shaft is adapted to be journalled; a crankshaft; a crank arm operatively connected to said crankshaft; means connecting saiddriving block to said crank arm with freedom of sliding pivotal movement of the block about said means connecting said driving block to said crank arm; and springloading means for said driving block wherein the forces of said spring loading means are exerted on said drive shaft substantially at right angles to the axis of said drive shaft.

13. In a fluid meter; the-combination with a. wabble plate; of a drive shaft on said wabble plate; a driving block in which said drive shaft is journalled; a crankshaft; a crank arm operatively connected to said crankshaft; means connecting said driving block to said crank arm with freedom of sliding pivotal movement of the block about said means connecting said driving block to said crank arm; and spring loading means for said driving block whereinthe forces of said spring loading means are exerted on said wabble plate drive shaft substantially-at right angles to the axis of said wabble plate drive shaft.

.DAVID SJIVILLSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Blum Apr. 8, 1941 

